Oathall Community College

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Oathall Community College
Oathall Community College Logo.jpg
Address
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Appledore Gardens

Haywards Heath
,
West Sussex
,
RH16 2AQ

England
Coordinates51°00′22″N 0°05′31″W / 51.00622°N 0.09204°W / 51.00622; -0.09204Coordinates: 51°00′22″N 0°05′31″W / 51.00622°N 0.09204°W / 51.00622; -0.09204
Information
TypeCommunity
Established1938[1]
Local authorityWest Sussex County Council
Department for Education URN126085 Tables
OfstedReports
Chairman of GovernorsRowena Chalk
HeadteacherEdward Rodriguez
Staffc. 161
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 16
Enrolmentc. 1013 students[2]
HousesDiscovery  , Endeavor  , Pioneer  , Voyager  
Colour(s)Maroon and yellow    
Websitehttp://www.oathall.org/

Oathall Community College is a secondary school located between Lindfield and Haywards Heath in West Sussex, England. There are currently around 1013[2] students at Oathall, between the ages of 11 and 16. The college has a full spectrum of specialist accommodation, including a 5-acre (20,000 m2) farm, a music centre, specialist art building, recently refurbished Science and Maths building, conference facilities and well-equipped classrooms. They have a rolling programme of building development and refurbishment to reach all parts of the school over the next 10 to 15 years.

Oathall serves Haywards Heath and surrounding areas, accommodating students from Ardingly, Horsted Keynes, Burgess Hill, Scaynes Hill and Danehill.

Oathall Community College Farm[]

The college's farm was founded during World War II by the head teacher to help the war effort. Today, students can take a NVQ level one in agriculture and in land-based operations (horticulture and farm machinery) and a level two specialist diploma in environmental and land-based studies, as well as before- and after-school volunteer opportunities in the Young Farmers' Club (YFC). The farm is also incorporated into other subjects, such as mathematics, where students study the growth rates of lambs.[3] The farm's livestock regularly wins prizes, including pig of the year at the South of England Show in 2008.[4]

Developments and modernisation[]

A year 11 student washes his hands in preparation for a cooking session in the new food technology department

Many new developments to the campus have been completed recently, including a refurbished Science and Maths (SAM) building, Art Block and a new Food Technology department.

The school is currently undergoing a rolling program of refurbishment, due to be complete in all areas of the school by 2030.[1]

Refurbished Language Block[]

During the 2019 school summer holidays, the Modern Foreign Languages block was wholly refurbished with new wood-effect vinyl flooring, new SMART interactive touchscreen whiteboards, and new furniture.

Refurbished Science and Maths Block[]

Renovations on the school's Science and Maths Block (often abbreviated to SAM Block) began in 2017 and the building was closed to students while construction was taking place.[5]

The old building was constructed in 1974 as a result of the increase in the school leaving age from 15 to 16 and the associated increase in students. The design is known as a SCOLA construction. The old design contained numerous flaws, such as poor insulation, over glazing and inadequate heating which made for uncomfortable working environments to pupils. The building also contained asbestos.[6]

The building renovations themselves were financially backed by West Sussex County Council and funds for new equipment for the students were crowdfunded by the school's Parent Teacher Association (OPTA). The school managed to raise £29,468 in total. In September 2018, the SAM Block was reopened featuring 8 completely revamped maths classrooms, 8 new science labs, an IT Suite for Computer Studies and Business Studies and 2 Science Preparation and Storage Rooms. The building features air conditioning, carbon dioxide monitoring systems, open-plan unisex toilets, new fire alarm systems, new automated Toshiba TEC display boards[7] detailing important notices and BBC News ticker as well as new Interactive Whiteboards both sponsored by Toshiba.[8]

Art department[]

One of the old wooden hut classrooms was demolished in 2006 to make way for the building of a modernised and better facilitated art block.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "School and Facilities". Oathall Community College. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Number of students and staff - a Freedom of Information request to Oathall Community College, Haywards Heath". WhatDoTheyKnow. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Oathall Farm". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  4. ^ Miller, Wendy (30 December 2008). "Oathall Community College Farm: from little things, big things grow". Telegraph. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Sir Paul Nurse opens Maths and Science building". Oathall Community College. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Science and maths building redesign". Oathall Community College. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Toshiba Display Screens Make School Life Smarter". Toshiba TEC. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Oathall School - science and maths equipment". Crowdfunder UK. Retrieved 15 January 2019.

External links[]

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